Behavioral teratology of methylmercury

Abstract

Behavioral effects of experimental perinatal methylmercury exposure are reviewed. Studies were summarized by classification based on examined behaviors and functions as follow; 1)Development of reflexive behaviors, 2)Swimming ability, 3)Spontaneous activity, 4)Open-field behavior, 5)Maze learning, 6)Avoidance learning, 7)Operant learning, 8)Susceptibility to induce convulsion and seizure, 9)Ultrasonic vocalization, 10)Visual function. Findings suggest that perinatal methylmercury exposure caused changes in a wide spectrum of behavioral teratogenicity of methylmercury will be awaited, especially in the area investigating interaction of the other environmental factors.